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Functionalism: A Family's Well-Known As A Family

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Recommended: Critical veiw of symbolic interactionism

When discussing social institution known as a family, it’s not hard at all to bring in several unique viewpoints to the table of conversation. After all, we know that families are a universal and culturally non-exclusive phenomenon. Every person of every race, ethnicity, and country knows the concept, and several participate in one, either in their past as a child, or in the present, with a partner. George Santayana’s famous quote goes to show the world that, “The family is one of nature's masterpieces.” Even so, a family does not have to be blood related. As Richard Bach once said, “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.” Therefore, the concepts and practices are well-known worldwide. …show more content…

Functionalists stress that in order to survive, a society must fulfill its basic functions/needs. When Functionalists look at families, they try to find the ways that marriage and family contribute to the well-being of society. For example, Functionalists say that a family needs to fulfill six needs that are essential to society’s well being. These 6 traits are economic production, socialization of children, care of the sick and age, recreation, sexual control, and reproduction. Functionalists also note that the incest taboo and the bearing of emotional overload apply to the structure that families bring to one another inside of their …show more content…

The symbolic interactionist theory focuses on the symbols that society places on people, places, and things, giving them different meanings. The first way symbolic interactionists look at marriage is through traditional gender roles. If you are a man, you’re expected to carry out traditionally masculine duties and work. If you are a women, you’re expected to do “women’s work”, which consists of housework and childcare. When men and women are expected to divide their time differently on separate activities, it is called the gendered division of labor. However, symbolic interactionism is unique among the theories, in the way that it can change over time. Currently, the meaning of “women’s work” is much different than it was 50 or 100 years

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